Hanoi: Invoking the “common heritage” with Vietnam, President Pranab Mukherjee today said India will always be an “all-weather” friend for the south east Asian nation.
“Our two countries have been closely linked, over the centuries, by the mutually beneficial trade and peaceful contacts. Of these, the most enduring bond that we share is our common heritage of Buddhism.
“Even today, the teachings and principles of Lord Buddha are valid and relevant and are embraced by both our societies in our daily life and interactions,” the President said in his banquet speech.
Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang hosted the banquet dinner in the honour of Mukherjee.
The Indian President is on a four-day state visit to the country and he wrapped up his important bilateral meetings with the top leadership of Vietnam today as he is scheduled to leave for Ho Chi Minh City tomorrow. “India will always remain your reliable and all weather friend,” he said.
“I am honoured to be here. I thank you for your generous words and the kind sentiments expressed by you which I fully reciprocate.
“I was profoundly touched by the warmth of the reception accorded to me and to my delegation by the Government and the people of Vietnam. My visit to Vietnam provides me an opportunity to personally convey the deep commitment of the Government and the people of India to the enduring friendship and co-operation between our two great nations,” the President said.
He said the struggle for freedom also connects both the nations.
“Vietnam is a country whose people India holds in the highest esteem. We have great admiration for the unconquerable spirit of the Vietnamese people for their determination to succeed against all odds and their tenacity and fortitude against even the most powerful adversaries. “Today, the same attributes and national character are driving your economic growth and development. These have resulted in increased prosperity and better living standards of your people,” he said.
Mukherjee said this progress is testimony to the inspirational leadership of Vietnam and the perseverance of its people.
“We also share a history of our struggle for independence from colonial rule. In 1942, the legendary Ho Chi Minh, from his prison cell, had written to Pandit Nehru, who was then also in jail, saying that even though they had not met and were separated by a thousand miles, yet they were communicating without words.
“Sure enough, Pandit Nehru gave Ho Chi Minh his solidarity and support. He was the first foreign leader to visit the Democratic Republic of Vietnam after the liberation of Hanoi. Significantly, it was during Pandit Nehru's visit that Ho Chi Minh made his first public appearance after returning to a free Hanoi,” the President said.
He remembered the enthusiastic public welcome given to Ho Chi Minh on his visit to Delhi in 1958 and India's first President Rajendra Prasad when he visited Vietnam in 1959. “I invoke the close bonds of these founding Fathers of our nations as it is their vision and foresight that recognised the great potential of our closeness.
“Successive generations of our leaders have nurtured and consolidated it. Its warmth endures, and I can feel it in the hospitality extended to me today,” he said. He went on to talk about the present and the future of both the countries.
“Our nations have now made a transition from the era of post colonial solidarity and entered a new phase of strategic engagement as natural partners. Our relations have never been better than they are today. Our strategic partnership has blossomed into a robust, mutually rewarding, multi-faceted relationship.
“Our cooperation at regional and multilateral fora constitutes one of the strong pillars of this strategic partnership. It has been reinforced by regular exchanges at the highest political level and the institutional mechanisms that we have created,” he said.
“Today, as we emerge as two of the fastest growing economies in the world, the potential of our joint efforts to enhance our bilateral trade and investment, our collaboration in science and technology, our cooperation in human resource development and, of course, our cultural exchanges, is infinite,” he said.
Mukherjee said both countries were on the same page when it comes to regional and international issues. “We also have a convergence of views on most regional and international issues. We are convinced that together we can promote peace, stability and security in this region and the world.
“As two developing countries with a stake in the future, we can and should take advantage of our many synergies,” he said.
“I am confident that our dialogue and partnership will only strengthen in the years to come. The future presents us with innumerable new opportunities and inevitably some challenges.
“In order for us to safeguard our national interests and further our shared goals of peace and prosperity, India and Vietnam must stand together,” the President said.
